Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1887-07-01

eyes o. Oscar suddenly. She colorcd
and keFt her eyes on her plate the rest
Of the dinner hour.
In tie alter-dinner conclave she gave
her name as Sara McKly. She had
come q the States from Primes Ed
ward laan1 about year ago, and landed
IN Portland, and found her way to
Kennetunk, where she had lived in a
family sver since.
"Fdbc willing to work for my board
awhile, it seems so much like home
here, )" .he said.
"Wdl, you're welcome to stay and
help when you feel like it1 Mrs. Hill
responded for her heart had gone out to
the str'nger from the first. eve never
feel as Y VIC can pay wages in the house,
because we have to keep hired help on
the farm all the time. But you can stay
througl the hot weather, aud l dare say
plaG will turn up for you before
long,"
81 csn spin, Sara said, eagerly. "All
the gins on the island learn to do that. !"
Il c,uldn't draw a thread to save my
life" aid Addic.
SO il was settled. The wheel and
reel, 50 common in our grandmothers'
days, vere brought out and set in the
shed because it was cool. Sara, with
the fluffy trolls" heaped high on
chair back at her left hand, drew out
her thread ard filed the spindle rapid
ly, with a nonchalance and easy COM
mand Of the situation that won the
admiration of the girls, it being such an
unusual accomplishment among them.
A week weat by. Sara was talkative
about her island home, but non-com.
initial regarding her reasons for leaving
the place in Kenncbuuk.
whatever it means she's a good,
nice girl" Mrs. Hill said to the girls
privately.
r uben Hill still rummated over the
disappearance of the deei. Oscar came
into hismeals quietly, having very little
to sayat any time. He had lived there
since the death of Nathan Hill, six
months before. Once or twice he caught
Sara regarding him with curious, fixed
expression and answered her with
grave look of inquiry that brought the
furious bushes to her face.
Ole day sara had finished her dinner
and gone out into the shed, leaving the
family to rise, one after the other,
ieis;ifeilyy. The soft wliirr OF the wheel,
mingled with the murmur of insects in
Si.o Bst summer noon, reached the
dining room.
"It's queer how she happened to come
here" Addie remarked, rcfectively.
"And she's so secret about leaving
Her place." added Lottie.
"Well. do like to see her round,
Mrs. Hill said in her own placid fash
ion.
Mr.. Hill, going out through the shed
on hisway to the big barn, stopped In
CONSERVATION. Sara was sitting on an
old red chest in the corner, in great
distress seemingly. He gave one glance,
then hurried back, and called startliugy
through the kitchen door.
"NIothcrl girlsl Comel Sara's in a
fir
They came hurrying out with various
exclamations. Her eyes were wide open,
but unseeing. Her face was working
convn' sivcly.
Perhaps she's subject to thcm," sug-
gcstcd Mrs. Hill.
Oscar" said Mr.. Hill, "tcll Tim TO
jump on the gray mare ani ride to the
corner for a doctor. Quick nowp
Sara became quiet all in a moment.
Don't send for DOCTOR" she said.
'I'm not SICK"
Her eyes were still open and unsceing,
but her voice had changed, and was
falling npon their cars in gruif, familiar
accents.
''Nathan's voice, if ever heard it in
my ife," Reuben toli the doctor after
wards.
Don't you know me2' she asked in
that familiar VOC. ''Tve been wanting
to come and tell you about the deed. l
have never been able to come before.
You've overlooked asecrct drawer in the
mahogany desk. l. is close under the
bookcase. The deed is there. CO now
and look"
Like one dazed Ruben went up stairs
and searched for the secret drawer in
the old-fashioneI piece of furniturc, a
combined bookcase and writing desk,
which had been removed there, with
other things, after Nathan's death. 1t
must be confessed that he felt pretty
nervous. How did Sara know about the
decd9 1t had never been mentioned in
her presence.
He returned. "There amt any drawer
there" he said
"But there is" persisted Slra. ''rhere
is a spring, the color Of the wood, about
the size Of pin head, close under the
bookcase on the left of the writing desk.
Pass your finger nail over the surface and
you'll find it,"
Reuben went again. 1t must be ad-
mittcd that be felt thrill Of supersti-
ticus fear
lie did as she directed, touched the
spring and the drawer flew open. There
sure enough, was the deed.
He went back to the group, who
greeted him with various exclamations.
Sara started, shivcred slightly and
looked around upon the faces with see.
ing, questioning eyes.
''What has happenedl' she asked.